Major city · United States
OshkoshOshkosh, Wisconsin
Go for 1–2 nights unless it is AirVenture week (the last Monday in July through Sunday), when you need 3–5 nights and a bed booked months ahead.
Oshkosh sits on the west shore of Lake Winnebago in east-central Wisconsin, about 45 minutes south of Green Bay and 1.5 hours north of Milwaukee on I-41. For most of the year it is a small lake city with a strong downtown, three good museums and a free zoo. For one week each summer it becomes the centre of world aviation: EAA AirVenture fills Wittman Regional Airport with tens of thousands of aircraft and hundreds of thousands of visitors, and every bed for tens of miles is taken.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for lake weather; AirVenture week in late Jul; Dec for the Festival of Lights
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, few events); AirVenture week if you have no booked bed
- Airports
- ATW · OSH
- Nights
- 1–2 (3–5 during AirVenture)
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Oshkosh911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Oshkosh, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyStandard US precautions apply: lock the car, keep valuables out of sight, and watch for traffic on unlit roads after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportATW Appleton International Airport (About 20 min north on I-41, exit 137; the commercial airport for Oshkosh.
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: sights are spread along Algoma Blvd and the south side.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealDinner, mid-range restaurant$18–35
- Beerdraught in a bar$5–8
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxi$12–18
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Paine Art Center)$7 adult, $18 family
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$260
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$240
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ATW Appleton International Airport (About 20 min north on I-41, exit 137; the commercial airport for Oshkosh. The drive is the reliable transfer — public transport options need checking.) · OSH Wittman Regional Airport (No commercial flights; private aircraft only. Flying in during AirVenture requires the AirVenture NOTAM)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best*
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: Jun–Sep, Dec. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Oshkosh: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
8 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
7 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: sights are spread along Algoma Blvd and the south side. GO Transit buses run 11 routes from the Transit Center (Pearl Ave and Market St), roughly every 30 min, Mon–Sat about 6:15AM–6:15PM, no Sunday or night service; fare about $1.50 adult. Route 1 (East Loop) follows the waterfront. Taxis: Oshkosh City Cab and Yellow Cab. During AirVenture a special EAA shuttle loops Transit Center–UW-Oshkosh–AirVenture main gate–Wittman terminal, about $3 round trip or $20 for an unlimited week pass.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
I-41 north, about 20 min by car
Fox River Mall district and a bigger downtown for an afternoon.
Door to door: About 1 h
I-41 north, about 45 min by car
Packers stadium, museums and the bay; easy half-day or full day.
Fond du Lac
goDoor to door: About 40 min
I-41 south, about 30 min by car
South end of Lake Winnebago; pairs well with a lakeside drive.
Manitowoc and Two Rivers
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
WI-44 east, about 1 h by car
Lake Michigan shore, maritime museum and a car ferry across the lake.
Sheboygan
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
I-43 east, about 1 h 15 min by car
Doable as a day but long; better as an overnight on a Lake Michigan loop.
Sturgeon Bay (Door County)
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
WI-57 north, about 1 h 45 min by car
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep a night or two.
Marinette
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h 15 min
US-41 north then WI-64 east, about 2 h by car
Far north on the bay; only worth it as part of a longer drive.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Main Street
Walkable to restaurants, the Grand Opera House and the riverfront; best for a short stay without a car.
Near UW-Oshkosh (Algoma Blvd)
Close to the Paine Art Center and Oshkosh Public Museum; dorms open to visitors during AirVenture.
South Washburn St / Outlet Shoppes
Highway-side hotels with free parking, 10–15 min drive from downtown.
Camp Scholler and AirVenture camping
On-site camping during AirVenture only; book through EAA well ahead.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$150 | US$300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$130 | US$520 |
| GO Transit day of rides2 × US$3 | US$6 |
| EAA AirVenture week bus pass2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$90 |
| Trip total≈ US$247 per person per day, bed included | US$986 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Casual lunch | $10–18 |
| Dinner, mid-range restaurant | $18–35 |
| Beer, draught in a bar | $5–8 |
| Museum entry (Paine Art Center) | $7 adult, $18 family |
| EAA Aviation Museum entry | $12.50 adult, $31 family |
| GO Transit single ride | $1.50 adult |
| 5 km taxi | $12–18 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- AirVenture week: roads around Wittman airport and I-41 close, and hotels sell out for tens of miles — book months ahead.
- Flying into Wittman during AirVenture without the current NOTAM is not an option; get it from EAA and follow it.
- GO Transit has no Sunday, night or some-holiday service: check the last bus before you rely on it.
- Winter is genuinely cold and snow can slow I-41; check road conditions before driving.
- AirVenture grounds are huge and walking-heavy; bring comfortable shoes, sun protection and water.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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OshkoshOshkosh, Wisconsin
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Oshkosh; most countries' consulates are in Chicago. US visitors: your own embassy is in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- GO Transit single ride: about $1.50 adult, Mon–Sat daytime only
- EAA AirVenture shuttle: about $3 round trip, $20 unlimited week pass
- Greyhound Chicago → Oshkosh: about $42 one-way
- Lamers Connect Oshkosh → Milwaukee: about $22
Say or show
- Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop? (wair iz thuh bus stop)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (how much iz it)
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (kan eye pay by kard)
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the toilet? (wair iz thuh rest-room)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank yoo)
- Excuse me — Excuse me (ex-kyooz mee)
US tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis. Emergency number is 911.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Oshkosh. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for lake weather; AirVenture week in late Jul; Dec for the Festival of Lights · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, few events); AirVenture week if you have no booked bed · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ATW: last shuttle and taxi options field-checked, plus an OSH private-aircraft rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Main Street, Algoma Blvd museums, Menominee Park and the south-side outlet strip.
- Place pages with verified opening hours and cutoffs (Paine Art Center, EAA Aviation Museum, Oshkosh Public Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- AirVenture-week fixtures: shuttle times, road closures, camping and dorm options, so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialVisit Oshkosh — official tourism
- officialEAA AirVenture Oshkosh
- officialWittman Regional Airport
- officialAppleton International Airport
- officialCity of Oshkosh GO Transit
- officialPaine Art Center and Arboretum
- officialOshkosh Public Museum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Oshkosh, revision 5247418 (CC BY-SA 4.0)